Accepted for/Published in: JMIR Human Factors
Date Submitted: Jun 6, 2023
Date Accepted: Nov 20, 2023
Factors Associated with Levels of Public Engagement in Protective Behaviors during the Early COVID-19 Pandemic: A Causal-Comparative Study Based on the Health Belief Model
ABSTRACT
Background:
While the challenges of COVID-19 are still unfolding, the enhancement of protective behavior remains a top priority in global healthcare. However, current behavioral-promoting strategies may be inefficient without first identifying the individuals with lower engagement in protective behavior and associating factors.
Objective:
The goal of this study was to identify individuals with and potential contributing factors to low engagement in protective behavior during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Methods:
This is a causal comparative study. A theory-based online survey was used to investigate individuals’ protective behavior and potential associating factors. During June 2020, the distribution of the survey was targeted to three areas: Taiwan, Japan, and North America. Based on the theory of Health Belief Model, the survey collected participants’ various perceptions toward COVID-19 and a collection of protective behavior. In addition to descriptive analysis, cluster analysis, analysis of variance, Fisher’s exact test, and chi-square test were employed.
Results:
A total of 384 responses were analyzed. More than half of the respondents lived in Taiwan, followed by Japan, then North America. The respondents were grouped into three clusters according to their engagement level of all protective behavior. These three clusters were significantly different from each other in terms of their sex, residency, perceived barrier, self-efficacy, and cues of action.
Conclusions:
Our results inform future research and policymaking. Specifically, enhancing self-efficacy is a powerful way to ensure the adoption of protective measures. Designing tailored messages for special groups of people is also worth considering.
Citation
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Copyright
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